AN: Better warn the readers. I'm not the 'simply happy' and sweet kind of writer. I do appreciate a good romance and lots of fluff, BUT, I like the 'complicated happy' and a little 'twisted happy' too. After all, the sweet is never as sweet without the sour…

Hope nobody gets disappointed later.

tearsoftjoy159 – I hadn't really given much thought to the ring, but your comment made me realize it's an important issue that he'd kept it all those years. Thanks. I'll explore the idea later.

cherryvampiress – I imagine you like to picture a strong, kick-ass Sakura. I like that too. I've always hated FF portraying her like the damsel in distress or the victim. I just imagine this plot and that's how the character came out. She's strong in her own way, though. But I'll try to include some ass kicking scenes later. (I imagine your review was a flame, but I appreciate those too).

Thanks to everybody who reviewed!

Chapter 3

Commitment

Five years ago...

The two men sat in the dango shop drinking their cold beverage. They were clearly foreign judging by their features and clothes. No one gave a second thought though. Travelers come and go through Suna all the time. They just kept on chatting quietly while savoring the sweet treats from the shop.

Jin looked across the street to the hospital entrance. "Think she'll skip lunch today again?"

Kouga direct his gaze to the same spot. "Who knows? That nurse told me she'd been pushing to finish whatever she's been doing down in the labs," he took another bite of his dango.

"You banged that brunet nurse last night?" Jin chuckled.

Kouga looked back at his teammate. Jin was a good looking nineteen years old boy, and even though he had being trained by Root, he wasn't like the standard agent. Jin had this carefree posture that conveyed the same teenage arrogance so easily found in shinobi his age. But Kouga knew better than to judge a book by its cover, especially in Root. His young peer was a prodigy from a renowned clan. Somehow Danzou had managed to enlist the boy in the organization at the age of sixteen, securing his unique kekkei genkai and gaining his loyalty over the past years. However, he was still young, and demanded careful supervision for a mission of this scope.

Answering the younger man, he gave him an aloof smile. "She's a good source of information. Besides, it gives a good reason to be here - if someone were to wonder, we are here because I'm waiting for the nurse."

"Right," he nodded at his sempai foresight, but couldn't help the suggestive observation from escaping, "maybe I should find an informant of my own to warm my bed too."

Kouga chuckled lightly, amused. From a distance they seemed nothing more than a couple of friends chatting away over a drink. That went on for some time until they glimpse a flash of pink across the street. Their target was on the move. Jin stood to follow her when his teammate pulled his sleeve forcing him back into his seat. His questioning look prompt the other man to explain, "Just wait and watch," he smirked.

Not thirty seconds later a brunet wearing hospital uniform burst out of the doors calling after the pink haired medic. They talked for a couple of minutes before both girls' eyes landed on the two men sitting in the dango shop. The brunet waved at then, and Kouga waved back, signaling then to come. The girl tugged Sakura along while Jin kept on watching the scene unfold.

"Good afternoon Kouga-kun," the girl beamed at Kouga. "This is my friend Sakura." At that the pink haired medic bowed politely. "Nice to meet you, Kouga-san."

"Hi, Sasaki-chan," he said cheerfully, then turning to the girl next to her. "Nice to meet you, Sakura-san. This is my friend Jin," he pointed to the younger man, who nodded in response. "Would you girls join us for lunch?" he asked pleasantly.

Before Sakura could object, Sasaki answered happily. "Sure! That'd be great!"

"There's a restaurant down this street. I've heard the okonomiyaki is one of the best in all five nations," Kouga said enthusiastically while already moving down the street holding Sasaki's hand. The girl immediately latched herself to his arm, following his lead. Sakura looked hesitantly toward the other man – Jin. He just shrugged and smiled, following the couple and urging Sakura to do the same.

They both walked behind the couple that chatted excitedly. Sakura wondered if she should try to fill the awkward silence on the "back seat". Before she could think of anything to say however, Jin addressed her. "So, you're a nurse at the hospital too?" The man had a friendly smile; and there was something pleasant about his voice too. Oddly, it felt somehow endearing. She found herself smiling back at him. "Not really. I'm actually a medic from Konoha."

"Oh," he chuckled, "sorry. You just look so young. I just assumed…" he didn't finish.

"Don't worry. I started studying early with a very skilled master. And she slaves me to death at work," she joked. Even if it wasn't fat from the truth.

"That explains it. How come you're so far away from home?" he asked.

"It's sort of a medical exchange program," she explained.

"Ah," he nodded. "I see. So this is your temporary residency?"

"Yes. Actually I'm going back in a few weeks. If everything works out I'll be able to return soon." He meant to continue, but before he could probe further she interjected, "What about you, Jin-san?"

"Me?" he recalled their cover story, "me and Kouga-san here are traveling back to our village in Fire country. We had to attend a wedding ceremony in Omigawa. Since we traveled this far, we thought we might as well enjoy the trip and get to know Sunagakure."

"Oh, who got married?" Sakura sounded interested.

"A childhood friend of ours. The guy swore he'd never fall in love," he chuckled, "and ended up moving to another country to marry this girl." He thought that trivial details always lent the stories a layer of truth.

"Yes, Love does this kind of thing to people," Sakura said laughing.

Before long they reached the restaurant and sat at a table closer to the street. The awning provided protection from the scorching sun and the soft breeze from the street eased the temperature a little. It felt like a pleasant place to have lunch. While waiting for their orders the four chatted amicably. Sakura was surprised at how easily she talked with this complete stranger. There was something about Jin that made her at ease, like he was a longtime friend. They talked about all sort of things: travels, friends, food, books. After their meals arrived they all agreed that it was probably the best okonomiyaki any of them have ever eaten.

Since Sasaki and Kouga were in fact a couple, Jin and Sakura ended up talking more between themselves. She had no problems about that however. He was good company. She couldn't remember the last time she had so much fun by just chatting away. Her mind drifted back to Itachi. She really loved him, but conversation was not one of his best skills. She was suddenly flooded with a felling of longing. It has been almost a month since they last saw each other after all. Sakura wondered what he must be doing right now. She was pulled from her musings by waving fingers in front of her eyes. "Sakura-san?" Jin frowned.

She threw him a reassuring smile. "Sorry Jin-san, just thinking about home."

"Ah," he grinned, "your boyfriend must really miss you after all this time."

"No boyfriend. I'm just thinking of my friends and my own home," she surprised herself at how easily the lies left her lips. She didn't know what compelled her to lie to these people she didn't know, in a place so far from Konoha. For a moment it dreaded on her that she had to lie so often about the subject that she got used to that. Before she could continue the self analysis however Jin kept on talking.

"Oh, sorry. Here I go making assumptions again. I just thought a beautiful girl like you would have someone." He said in a matter-of fact way that made her blush. Sakura didn't remember the last time someone referred to her as beautiful, at least not without mischievous intentions. Itachi was not one to throw compliments around, even if the way he looked at her sometimes made her stomach flutter. Still, it would be nice to hear this kind of things once in a while.

"Guess your career must keep you pretty busy. Besides, most men usually feel threatened by intelligent women," Jin continued. Her blush was more evident now. The way he said like it was the plain truth, without the cheesy smirk that usually accompanied this kind of flattering made her face warm. She forced her mind back to Itachi. She had a boyfriend who she loves very much. It was nowhere near appropriate to blush from some stranger's flattering.

She was only glad when he diverted the subject to another matter. "So Sakura-san, you said you'd leave in a few weeks?"

Sasaki interjected before she could respond. "I've been trying to convince her to stay longer. This way she would have more time to finish her research and wouldn't have to be holed up in that lab with those old medics all day long." She turned to the pink haired girl, "come on Sakura. I could show you around. There are great oases near Suna, you know."

"I really wish I could do that, Saki-chan. But this is work. If I don't complete this mission with a 100% success my shishou will have my head," she rubbed her neck looking authentically worried. "Besides, you know how much I miss home," she explained.

The brunet pouted in a mocking way, "Home? Riiight. Sounds more like there's a guy waiting for you."

She waved her hands defensibly in front of her while blushing. "Wh-what? No! I told you! No boyfriend!"

Sasaki laughed. "Just kidding, Sakura-chan." She watched the other girl sinking in her seat ashamed, and then amended, "but if you're really going home so soon, you're gonna let us throw you a farewell party at least, right?"

Sakura grimaced. "That's really not necessary Saki-chan."

"Please," the girl whined "everybody at my floor agreed it would be a great idea. Even Tomio-san and Keigo-kun from Radiology agreed to go."

"What?" Sakura frowned surprised, "to a party weeks away?"

"Yep," Sasaki nodded enthusiastically, "it's because we all like you so much."

Sakura was touched. Everybody had been so nice to her since she arrived. But throwing a big farewell party seemed a bit too much. "Well, if we can keep it a small party I guess it's ok," she drawled.

The brunet girl bounced happily on her seat clapping her hands in a childish gesture. She turned happily to Kouga and Jin, "of course you both are invited too."

Geez, so much for keeping it small, Sakura thought. She wanted to scold the girl but feared she'd offend the two men. Instead she reasoned, "it's too far ahead Sasaki. They probably won't be around Suna by then, right?"

"Well, actually," Jin started, "we're sort of on vacation, and we have no specific date to return."

"Oh, won't your families worry?" Sakura asked curiously.

"It's okay. We write them quite often. It's been so long since we last traveled that they won't mind if we stay away for a couple of months," Jin laid back in his seat, "my parents can handle the store by themselves for a while."

"Ah, so your family owns a store. What kind of products do you sell?" Sakura engaged in leisure conversation again.

They kept on talking until the girls remembered they had to go back to work. Both men insisted on paying for lunch, and despite Sakura's protests, she ended up complying. If that wasn't enough to embarrass her, they were adamant about walking them back to the hospital. But what really threw her off was the way Jin smiled at her as he said good bye. He had this intense, yet soft stare, like he was looking into her very soul.

After only hour of knowing this guy she was certain he was a total heartbreaker.

She entered the hospital felling his gaze burning the back of her head.

- 000000 -

The two undercover shinobi watched the females enter the building before turning to leave. A good while away from the hospital they felt safe to talk.

"So?" Kouga raised a questioning eyebrow.

"Like a moth to a flame," Jin sneakered. "Teenage girls are just so easy."

"So you didn't have to use your kekkei genkai on her?" his sempai mocked.

"Hn, only a little perhaps. Isn't that exactly why Danzou-sama assigned me this mission after all? My special skill? She kept on resisting me for some reason though." Jin scowled.

"Maybe you weren't charming enough to take her mind from her brooding boyfriend." The teasing tone was clear in Kouga's voice."

"Psht," Jin let out a sound of disdain, "who can be sure that the Uchiha didn't use his Sharingan on her? She doesn't seem the type to fall for apathy and sulking anyway," he justified. "She's like a little pack of sunshine and rainbows, don't you agree, sempai?" he smirked.

Kouga looked sideways at him. "What now? Don't tell me you liked the girl." He sounded more serious now. "Remember she's a target. You know we can't afford mistakes here. Danzou-sama was very clearly about the nature of this mission."

"Chill out. I know how important this is," Jin responded with the same professional tone. A few steps ahead however he completed with a devious smile. "But it doesn't mean I can't enjoy the mission."

Kouga gave him a sideways glance arching his eyebrow. "As long as you understand…", and continued down the street with his hands in his pockets.

Jin followed him after shooting a thoughtful frown back at the direction of the hospital.

- 000000 -

Itachi woke up later than usual, given the hour he arrived from his mission last night. That's why he was mildly surprise to find his father in the kitchen when he came down for breakfast. Normally, by this hour, his father would be attending to his business at the Police Force.

The older Uchiha was sitting in his chair reading some scroll reports over tea. Without raising his eyes he greeted his elder son. "Good morning, Itachi."

Itachi sat in his usual place at the table, "good morning, Chichi-ue," and proceeded to pour himself some tea.

Once the younger shinobi settled down at the table, Fugaku put down the scroll and pushed it aside. Obviously he had been waiting for his son to discuss something. Itachi was not sure he liked this, but couldn't help it, he just kept on arranging his meal.

"Itachi," Fugaku started, his son raised his eyes to face him. "Have you spoken to Shisui?"

"No. I arrived late from my mission. Haven't spoken to anyone," Itachi answered honestly.

"He's engaged," his father announced bluntly. At that Itachi raised an eyebrow. That was a surprise. He didn't know his cousin was involved with someone. And Shisui wasn't one to make sudden decisions. But, come to think, no one knew Itachi was involved with Sakura either.

Fugaku put his cup down after taking a sip. "The clan found him a suitable candidate."

Ah, so that's what happened. Itachi mentally grimaced. Shisui must not be very happy with the situation.

"I'll make sure to stop by later to present my congratulations," he informed shortly. His father nodded. Not resisting the curiosity, Itachi asked. "So, who is the woman to be his wife?"

"Azuki Yuuhi," Fugaku said simply.

Itachi was familiar with the name. Yuuhi was one of the small shinobi clans in Konoha, nowhere near as powerful as Uchiha or Hyuuga, but influential enough to make a good match. And Azuki Yuuhi was a skilled jounin, just about the same age as Shisui. She was a traditional beauty, like most women in her clan. His cousin couldn't complain about that. She was also intelligent, level headed and had an irrefutable reputation. In other words, she was the ideal candidate under the elder's eyes.

Itachi couldn't help but think about Sakura. Despite being very young, the girl was very talented, showing great skills in the medic field. It was no secret since the Hokage kept boasting about her apprentice's skills since the girl made tokubetsu jounin ass medic – and moving to become a full fledge jounin soon. But that's where her qualities as an eligible Uchiha bride would end. Sakura was a first generation shinobi, coming from a civilian family. Her now deceased parents were not particularly wealthy or had any political influence, she had no living blood relatives whatsoever. And her brazen attitude made quite the reputation for herself – a perfect fit in the one of the most dysfunctional team in Konoha. A team that stole Sasuke from a bright future in the clan's eyes.

The clan elders had taken a dislike to her and the rest of team 7 since the episode concerning Sasuke. His younger brother was to join ANBU years ago, but never even applied for the tests, choosing to remain with his team. A wise decision, in Itachi's opinion – Sasuke had been too young. But the clan claimed his teammates were holding him back. In an act of defiance, Sasuke dismissed their opinion and stood by his team. The elders, predictably demanded Hokage's interference. Tsunade denied their request, claiming there were no grounds to dissolve team 7. In the end all they saw a biased decision, with Sakura being her pupil and all.

"Itachi," Fugaku's voice pulled him out of his wanderings. "You realize you're next in line to marry."

Hn, so this was the intention of this conversation. "I didn't realize there was a list, Chichi-ue," the younger man mocked.

"You know perfectly well what I mean. The clan has certain expectations from his prominent members, I'm just reminding you to be aware of your choices… or lack of."

He caught the meaning. Itachi was to either choose an eligible candidate, or one would be chosen for him soon.

Well, he had already found the one. Only problem was that his clan would probably disagree with his choice - a problem for them, not for him. Sakura would be his wife despite anyone's protests, he had already decided that.

"You know," he heard a casual tone in his father's voice, "I had chosen another woman to marry before I met your mother." The sudden change of subject surprised Itachi. Not the fact itself, but that his father decided to share such a personal information with him. "I was very young, and believed to be in love with that woman." Strangely, he never thought his father capable of love, at least not the romantic type.

Fugaku looked him in the eyes. "Itachi, when we are young we might have misconceptions concerning love. Lust and passion are not consistent with long term commitments. What I had was a fleeting emotion from youth. Love is not given, but built through devotion and loyalty. It keeps the family and the clan strong, understand?"

Itachi nodded impassively, in an obedient gesture.

"Therefore son, if you choose to…" his father hesitate for a second,"…experiment to get it out of your system, so be it. But do not forget your obligations to the family."

If Itachi was anyone else, he would have sneezed his tea all over his father in shock. However, his reaction limited to a sideways glance. He was frowning inwardly at Fugaku's meaning. He sounded like he knew something.

Could he have found out about Sakura?

He studied the older man sipping his tea. He might not know about Sakura specifically, but he sure knew Itachi was seeing someone – someone he would not approve of. He sat there weighting his options and decided not to take the bait. There was no point in confronting Fugaku now, nothing to gain. If there was something Itachi could pride himself of, it was knowing to pick his battles.

"Aa," he simply nodded at his father.

After that the two men shared the rest of their meal in silence.

- 000000 -

Present day...

Sakura kept staring at the ring he placed in front of her. This was probably the longer he ever knew her to keep quiet. He could read a myriad of feelings passing through her eyes – surprise, disbelief, confusion, sadness – none of them pleased him. He watched her close her eyes with the most hurtful expression he ever saw on her face. She must've understood what this ring meant by now.

She bowed her head slightly to hide her face, however the moisture gathering under her eyelashes gave her away.

"Our timing really sucks," she whispered trying to control the emotion in her voice.

"Aa," Itachi couldn't argue with that.

Not in a million years she would think that he meant to propose to her all those years ago. They had been dating for an entire year without anyone knowing. She knew Itachi cared for her. It was obvious in the way he looked at her, the way he touched her, the way he talked to her. Some nights, when she closed her eyes, she could still hear his sweet whispers on her ear, feel the tip of his nose brushing against the back of her neck, the trail of kisses he left on her shoulder.

But caring and loving were two different things. And the sneaking around was a constant reminder that they were doing something forbidden. At some point she wondered if that's why he came to her. To taste freedom, have the thrill of doing something his clan would never allow, a veiled defiance.

And when the thrill was gone, when the sneaking became too much of a trouble or when his duties called upon him, he would be gone. And she would be left heartbroken.

A thousand times she warned herself to watch her steps. She made herself believe they could work things out, be together somehow. But deep down, she knew they were just biding them time. Looking down at this ring, she understood now.

She had been the one lacking faith.

"I'm sorry," it was all she could say.

She was fighting a lost battle with her tears. A thick one escaped her, landing loudly like a heavy drop on the table surface.

She felt a finger under her chin and widened her eyes in surprise. Itachi was standing next to her chair. She never noticed when he left the seat across from her. He raised her face to him and brushed his thumb across her cheek, wiping some of the moisture away.

He was towering her now, however his presence was anything but menacing. "No, Sakura. I'm the one who's sorry. I wasn't clear with my intentions in the past. I'm sorry if I made you believe that what we had was flimsy." His hand left her cheek, running down her arm. She could feel the moisture of her own tears in his touch. When he reached her hand he raised it while taking the ring from the small box. She frowned at his actions.

When he kneeled by the table her eyes were wide.

"Sakura," his eyes were burning into hers, "I'd like to try this again if you let me." He pushed the ring on her finger. "Will you marry me?"

Her eyes darted from his to their adjoined hands, practically bulging out of her head.

He waited for her predictable reaction.

"…"

"Are you crazy?"

There you go.

- 000000 -

Itachi watched as she kept pacing the living room nervously. He limited himself to stand by the table waiting for her to calm down, or at least for some coherency. He couldn't make sense out of her mumbling only hearing words random words. By then, concern for Kazuki's waking up seemed long forgotten.

She stopped abruptly in front of him with a questioning look. "So?"

'Was there a question somewhere in her mumbling?' He raised an eyebrow.

"Akina! Your fiancée. You do remember you are already engaged, right?"

Itachi was surprised she heard about that. It hadn't been widely know even among clan members. How could she have known…

'Sasuke. Of course.'

She might not be a member of team 7 anymore, but she kept pretty thigh bonds with them. His younger brother sure shared this piece of information with his teammates. Itachi could imagine she felt hurt by the news, even a little betrayed if she was anything like him. Trust Sasuke to spread the word with total disregard of the consequences. But he couldn't blame his brother for what he didn't know. He could however blame him for giving incomplete information. And now he had to explain the situation to Sakura.

"I'm not engaged," he replied nonchalantly. "The clan simply offered me a choice of bride."

"And you refused?" she asked keenly.

Before a moment of hesitation, he replied honestly, "not yet."

She sighed, taking a long breath, calming down from her tantrum. "Maybe you shouldn't." She kept her back to him. "Akina is… perfect. She's perfect to marry into your clan," Sakura admitted bitterly.

"Then she can marry some Uchiha who's not taken," Itachi replied seriously.

"Itachi, I…"

He didn't let her continue. "Sakura, I've told you. Enough with the martyr routine." She felt him approach her. "I want you. There's only one important question here." He placed his hands on her shoulders, turning her around. A finger under her chin forced her eyes up. "For once be honest with yourself. What do you want?" His eyes were unwavering.

She held his stare with a deep frown, and then looked down despite the finger supporting her chin. After a long moment studying the collar of his shirt she looked at him with resigned eyes.

"I want you."

That was all he needed to know. Without fear or hesitation, he touched his lips to hers.

(Edited on May, 2012)